"Shock and awe."

That was the design directive, the mantra operandi that Corvette chief engineer Tadge Juechter instilled in his ZR1 team as they developed the most powerful regular production passenger vehicle in General Motors' 100-year history (the freshly certified stats: 638 horses, 604 pound-feet). Get team members talking and they contrast this with former Corvette chief Dave Hill's marching orders for the C5-generation Z06. He reportedly placed greater emphasis on refined performance. Don't misunderstand, myriad technical advances mean the ne-plus-ultra Corvette ZR1 drives with far greater refinement than any Z06, but rest assured that few concessions to gob-smacking acceleration, cornering, or braking were made in the name of refinement.


2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 - First Drive of the 638 horsepower ZR1 Corvette - Motor Trend


M

The best american car ever made?

Sports car, I'd say yes.

M

I'd have to say it runs a far second to the Duesenberg:









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Even for sports car, there is GT40, the original one. But I rate that one even above most Ferraris.

Well of the modern era lets say its the best...

M

^ Exactly that's what i meant Marcus,i contemporary american cars.The ZR1 is definitley the benchmark now for all american cars and i'd take it over Ford's ultimate car.

Quite simply the greatest American car on sale today or for the last 40 years. Awesome is the word.

Dang shame that they don't do it in right-hand drive.

modern day?

It would have to be the new Chevrolet Camaro, not the corvette. Corvette tries too hard to fit in even though they know no one likes it.